Japanese black pine

[RNbonsai]

Got this one this summer. It was limber and small, went for the tie it in a knot method.
Hopefully she lives!
It was easy bending her around, didn’t hear any snaps. Hopefully she doesn’t brown out in a month

 

[Shogun610]

What’s this tie in knot method?

 

[Potawatomi13]

Seems bad not constructive course of action.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Trees don't get tied in knots in nature...

 

[just.wing.it]

Any better pics of the whole thing?


Does remind me of @sorce's braided tree...

 

[RNbonsai]

No, no better pics. Is that knot the right term? The idea was to get crazy contorted bends while it was young enough to bend like that.

 

[bwaynef]

Could you post examples of what you're aiming for? I can't tell from the images: Is it actually in an overhand knot?

A few words of advice: Trees bend, curve, & twist. Its exceedingly rare that trees are contorted into a knot. Also, better application of the wire would've allowed much more severe bending.

 

[RNbonsai]

The idea would be a knot like some old junipers look like. Ill see if I can find a pic

 

[RNbonsai]

 

[RNbonsai]

thats the idea, just trying to make crazy bending while i can, and let it grow

 

[RNbonsai]

I'm pretty sure I saw a thread on here about it a while ago, but I cant seem to find it

 

[JeffS73]

What you need is the proper name, it is Bankan style, or coiled dragon style in China/Penjing.

I think of it as an exaggerated man made Yamadori, it can be very expressive if perhaps not so natural. I think a knot is a good description, but not an actual knot.

Often seen with Japanese Red Pine, like Michael Hagedorns Bankan Red Pine and this Wonderful example at the Kokufu exhibition

Then there is Hiroshiges woodblock print, Hiroshiges Moon Pine at Ueno ,cool but I don't think that's what you meant!

 

[Timarsen]

I think the "tied in a knot" form may have been hyperbole that you took literally, but with a young pine like this you should be able to untie it with minimal damage. You should then wire the trunk correctly and put exaggerated knot-like bends in the trunk and let it grow out.

 

[HankDio]

I, personally, am going to try this with one of my seedlings this spring. I just want to see what happens. The naysayers will tell you no tree in nature looks like this, but the same could be said for countless fantastical and idealized trees. Especially in terms of Japanese bonsai.

 

[A. Gorilla]

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Mad man!

 

[Beanwagon]

 

[RNbonsai]

The bankan is a good set of examples.
Correct, I'm not actually tying knots, just bending and twisting as extreme as possible.

 

[Potawatomi13]

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Looks like Dragons. Mommy Dragon, baby Dragon.

 

[RNbonsai]

I tried to get some better pics. It’s still hard to tell what’s what, I think it does show it alittle better

 

[Beanwagon]

I tried to get some better pics. It’s still hard to tell what’s what, I think it does show it alittle better

Looking good, let it grow like crazy for 5 years.